Wireless radio thermal management

ABSTRACT

A thermal management controller can be used to alter an operation associated with a network device when a temperature associated with a radio of the network device increases beyond a temperature threshold. A threshold is associated with a state of a plurality of states of the network device. As the temperature increases the thermal management controller to determine whether a current temperature exceeds a temperature threshold associated with the current state of the network device. Based on the determination, the thermal management controller can alter an operation based on the current state and an outcome of the determination. Altering the operation can cause the current temperature to decrease so that the network device can revert to a previous state, for example, a normal or default operation.

BACKGROUND

Generally, various network devices of network can include multipleradios and associated interfaces so as to provide a robust userexperience, for example, so as to support transmission of data in the2.4 Giga Hertz (GHz) frequency band, 5 GHz frequency band, 6 GHzfrequency band, etc. However, increasingly, network devices have a smallform factor which impedes essential thermal dissipation. Without properthermal management, temperatures associated with such network devicescan increase and affect the proper operation of the network device oreven damage internal components of the network device. Thus, there is aneed for improved thermal management of wireless radios of networkdevices so as to improve performance of network devices.

SUMMARY

According to some aspects of the present disclosure there are providednovel solutions for providing thermal management of one or more wirelessradios of a network device, for example, an access point device. Awireless radio operates at any of a frequency, such as a 2.4 GHzfrequency band, a 5 GHz frequency band, 6 GHz frequency band, any otherfrequency band, or any combination thereof. Operation of the wirelessradio can increase a temperature associated with the network device,such as any of the ambient temperature, the surface temperature, theinternal temperature, or any combination thereof. An increase in thetemperature can adversely affect the network device. For example,temperature can adversely affect the network device by causing any of afailure of one or more components of the network device, a degradationin performance, a malfunction, a shutting down, any other adverseeffect, or any combination thereof. A thermal management controller canmonitor the temperature associated with a network device so as to detectwhen the temperature is at or exceeds a temperature threshold.Associating a temperature threshold with each state of a plurality ofstates of the network device provides for the effective thermalmanagement of the network device as the thermal management controllercan alter an operation of the network device based on the current stateof the plurality of states. In this way, thermal management of thenetwork device prevents, for example, a sudden shut-down or otheradverse effect of the network device.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a network device. Thenetwork device comprises one or more radios, a memory storing one ormore computer-readable instructions and a processor. The processor isconfigured to execute the one or more computer-readable instructions todetermine a current temperature associated with the network device basedon one or more temperature measurements associated with the one or moreradios, determine a thermal indicator, wherein determining the thermalindicator comprises comparing the current temperature to a temperaturethreshold associated with a current state of a plurality of states ofthe network device, determine a new state of the plurality of statesbased on the thermal indicator and the current state, and alter anoperation associated with the network device based on the new state andthe thermal indicator.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the one or more computer-readable instructions todetermine the current temperature based on one or more additionaltemperature measurements, update the current state based on the newstate, determine the thermal indicator, wherein determining the thermalindicator comprises comparing the current temperature to a subsequenttemperature threshold associated with the current state, determine thenew state based on the thermal indicator and the current state, andalter a subsequent operation associated with the network device based onthe new state and the thermal indicator.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the altering the operationcomprises reducing a transmit duty cycle associated with at least one ofthe one or more radios.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, altering the operation comprisescapping a transmit power for at least one of the one or more radios.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, altering the operation comprisesreducing a number of radio frequency (RF) chains associated with atleast one of the one or more radios.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, altering the operation comprisesredirecting at least one of one or more network devices connected to theone or more radios to a different radio of the one or more radios or adifferent network device.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, altering the operation comprisesshutting down an interface associated with at least one of the one ormore radios.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for thermalmanagement of a network device. The method comprises determining acurrent temperature associated with the network device based on one ormore temperature measurements associated with the one or more radios,determining a thermal indicator, wherein determining the thermalindicator comprises comparing the current temperature to a temperaturethreshold associated with a current state of a plurality of states ofthe network device, determining a new state of the plurality of statesbased on the thermal indicator and the current state, and altering anoperation associated with the network device based on the new state andthe thermal indicator.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprisesdetermining the current temperature based on one or more additionaltemperature measurements, updating the current state based on the newstate, determining the thermal indicator, wherein determining thethermal indicator comprises comparing the current temperature to asubsequent temperature threshold associated with the current state,determining the new state based on the thermal indicator and the currentstate, and altering a subsequent operation associated with the networkdevice based on the new state and the thermal indicator.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method is such that alteringthe operation comprises reducing a transmit duty cycle associated withat least one of the one or more radios.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method is such that alteringthe operation comprises capping a transmit power for at least one of theone or more radios.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method is such that alteringthe operation comprises reducing a number of radio frequency (RF) chainsassociated with at least one of the one or more radios.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method is such that alteringthe operation comprises redirecting at least one of one or more networkdevices connected to the one or more radios to a different radio of theone or more radios or a different network device.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method is such that alteringthe operation comprises shutting down an interface associated with atleast one of the one or more radios.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of an access point device storing one or moreinstructions. The one or more instructions when executed by a processorof the access point device, cause the access point device to perform oneor more operations including any one or more of the steps of the methodsdescribed above

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical,functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal management system, accordingto one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating various componentsof a network environment of FIG. 1 , according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating thermal management of a network device,according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating thermal management of a network device,according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for thermal management of anetwork device in a network environment, according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for thermal management of anetwork device in a network environment, according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to theaccompanying drawings and is provided to assist in a comprehensiveunderstanding of various example embodiments of the present disclosure.The following description includes various details to assist in thatunderstanding, but these are to be regarded as merely examples and notfor the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents. The words and phrases used in thefollowing description and claims are merely used to enable a clear andconsistent understanding of the present disclosure. In addition,descriptions of well-known structures, functions, and configurations maybe omitted for clarity and conciseness. Those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that various changes and modifications of theexamples described herein can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal management system 100 of anetwork environment 120, according to one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure. It should be appreciated that various example embodiments ofinventive concepts disclosed herein are not limited to specific numbersor combinations of network devices, and there may be one or multiple ofsome of the aforementioned network devices in the system, which mayitself consist of multiple communication networks and various known orfuture developed wireless connectivity technologies, protocols, devices,and the like.

The thermal management system 100 includes one or more network devices,such as an access point device (APD) 2 connected to a network resource6, for example, an Internet Service Provider, the Internet, arepository, a web page, a server, a network service, any other networkresource, or any combination thereof, one or more wireless devices (forexample, one or more extender access point devices (EAPD) 3 (forexample, EAPD 3A and EAPD 3B, collectively referred to as extenderaccess point device(s) 3) and/or one or more client devices 4 (forexample, client devices 4A-4E, collectively referred to as clientdevice(s) 4)) that may be connected in one or more wireless networks(for example, a private network, a guest network, an iControl, abackhaul network, or an Internet of things (IoT) network), any othernetwork devices, or any combination thereof. In one or more embodiments,a network device is any device that includes one or more radios. One ormore network devices could be located in more than one network. Forexample, the wireless extender access point devices 3 could be locatedboth in a private network for providing content and information to aclient device 4 and also included in a backhaul network or an iControlnetwork. One or more network devices, such as extender access pointdevices 3A and 3B, can be connected to one or more sensing devices 5,such as a temperature sensor, a thermal indicator, or any other devicethat provides one or more temperature measurements. In one or moreembodiments, one or more sensing devices 5 can be internal to orexternal to any one or more network devices, including, but not limitedto, the one or more extender access point devices 3.

The access point device 2 can be, for example, a hardware electronicdevice that may be a combination modem and network gateway device thatcombines the functions of a modem, an access point (AP), a gateway, aresidential gateway (RG), a broadband access gateway, a home networkgateway, a router, a home router, an extender access point device 3, anyother network devices that comprises a thermal management controller 29(including, but not limited to, a home network controller (HNC), such asthermal management controller 29N, 29A, and 29B, collectively referredto as thermal management controller 29), or any combination thereof. Itis also contemplated by the present disclosure that the access pointdevice 2 can include the function of, but is not limited to, an InternetProtocol/Quadrature Amplitude Modulator (IP/QAM) set-top box (STB) orsmart media device (SMD) that is capable of decoding audio/videocontent, and playing over-the-top (OTT) or multiple system operator(MSO) provided content. The thermal management controller 29 can providean improved network performance by monitoring the temperature associatedwith a network device and altering an operation of the network devicebased on the temperature and an associated state of a plurality ofstates so as to provide thermal management, according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

The access point device 2 can include one or more wireless interfaces,including but not limited to, one or more radios such as a 2.4 GHz radio125N, a 5 GHz radio 127N, and a 6 GHz radio 129N. While FIG. 1illustrates various radios collectively referred to as radios 125, 127,and 129, the present disclosure contemplates that any network device cancomprise any number of radios at any given frequency, such as a 60 GHzradio.

The connections 7, 8 and 9 between the access point device 2 and the oneor more extender access point devices 3 and/or one or more clientdevices 4 are implemented through a wireless connection that operates inaccordance with any IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi protocols, Bluetooth protocols,Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or other short range protocols that operatein accordance with a wireless technology standard for exchanging dataover short distances using any licensed or unlicensed band such as thecitizen broadband radio services (CBRS) band, 2.4 GHz frequency bands, 5GHz frequency bands, 6 GHz frequency bands, 60 GHz frequency bands, anyother bands, or any combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, anyof connections 7, 8 and 9 can be a wired connection.

The connections 8 and 9 between the access point device 2 and one ormore extender access point devices 3 can be implemented using any radioof the access point device 2 and any radio of the extender access pointdevice 3. For example, the access point device 2 can utilize a radio127N to establish a connection 9 to a radio 127A of an extender accesspoint device 3A and a radio 129N to establish a connection 8 to a radio129B of extender access point device 3B.

The connections 7, 8, 9, and 10 between the access point device 2, thenetwork resource 6, the one or more extender access point devices 3, andthe one or more client devices 4 can be implemented using a wirelessconnection in accordance with any IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi protocols, Bluetoothprotocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or other short range protocolsthat operate in accordance with a wireless technology standard forexchanging data over short distances using any licensed or unlicensedband such as the CBRS band, 2.4 GHz frequency bands, 5 GHz frequencybands, 6 GHz frequency bands, or 60 GHz frequency bands. Additionally,any one or more connections can be implemented using a wirelessconnection that operates in accordance with, but is not limited to,RF4CE protocol, ZigBee protocol, Z-Wave protocol, or IEEE 802.15.4protocol. It is also contemplated by the present disclosure that any oneor more connections can include connections to a media over coax (MoCA)network.

The thermal management system 100 can include one or more extenderaccess point devices 3, for example, extender access point devices 3Aand 3B. An extender access point device 3 can comprise one or moreradios, for example, a 2.4 GHz radio 125 (such as radios 125A and ofextender access point devices 3A and 3B, respectively), a 5 GHz radio127 (such as radios 127A and 127B of extender access point devices 3Aand 3B, respectively), a 6 GHz radio 129 (such as radio 129B of extenderaccess point device 3B), any other radio, or any combination thereof. Inone or more embodiments, an extender access point device can beconnected to another extender access point device via any one or moreradios. For example, the one or more extender access point devices 3 canbe hardware electronic devices such as access points used to extend thewireless network by receiving the signals transmitted by the accesspoint device 2 and rebroadcasting the signals to, for example, one ormore client devices 4, which may be out of range of the access pointdevice 2 or one or more extender access point devices 3. The one or moreextender access point devices 3 can also receive signals from the one ormore client devices 4 and rebroadcast the signals to the access pointdevice 2 and/or other client devices 4. The extender access point device3B can comprise a thermal management controller 29B for thermalmanagement as discussed above.

The connections 11, 13 and 15 between respective extender access pointdevices 3 and one or more client devices 4 is implemented through awireless connection that operates in accordance with any IEEE 802.11Wi-Fi protocols, Bluetooth protocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), orother short range protocols that operate in accordance with a wirelesstechnology standard for exchanging data over short distances using anylicensed or unlicensed band such as the CBRS band, 2.4 GHz frequencybands, 5 GHz frequency bands, 6 GHz frequency bands, or 60 GHz frequencybands. One or more of these connections can also be a wired Ethernetconnection.

The connection 8 between respective extender access point devices 3 canbe implemented using the 6 GHz radio 129B of a wireless extender 3B, forexample. The connection 8 enables the wireless extender 3B to establisha dedicated 6 GHz wireless backhaul (BH) according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a radio 129B of anextender access point device 3B and radio 129N of access point device 2can be utilized to establish a wireless BH. However, the connection 8could also be implemented using respective wired interfaces (such asEthernet, cable, fiber optic, or the like) in some alternative exampleembodiments.

The thermal management system 100 can include one or more client devices4, for example, client devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E. A client device 4can include a radio such as any of the radios discussed above withrespect to access point device 2 and/or extender access point device 3.The client devices 4 can be, for example, hand-held computing devices,personal computers, electronic tablets, smart phones, smart speakers,Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, iControl devices, portable musicplayers with smart capabilities capable of connecting to the Internet,cellular networks, and interconnecting with other devices via Wi-Fi andBluetooth, or other wireless hand-held consumer electronic devicescapable of executing and displaying content received through the accesspoint device 2. Additionally, the client devices 4 can be a television(TV), an IP/QAM set-top box (STB) or a streaming media decoder (SMD)that is capable of decoding audio/video content, and playing over OTT orMSO provided content received through the access point device 2.

The connection 7 between the access point device 2 and the client device4A can be implemented through a wireless connection that operates inaccordance with, but is not limited to, any IEEE 802.11 protocols.Additionally, the connection 7 between the access point device 2 and theclient device 4A can also be implemented through a WAN, a LAN, a VPN,MANs, PANs, WLANs, SANs, a DOCSIS network, a fiber optics network (e.g.,FTTH, FTTX, or HFC), a PSDN, a global Telex network, or a 2G, 3G, 4G,5G, etc. network, for example. The connection 7 can also be implementedusing a wireless connection in accordance with Bluetooth protocols,Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or other short range protocols that operatein accordance with a wireless technology standard for exchanging dataover short distances using any licensed or unlicensed band such as theCBRS band, 2.4 GHz frequency bands, 5 GHz frequency bands, 6 GHzfrequency bands, or 60 frequency GHz bands.

A more detailed description of the exemplary internal components of thegateway device 2, the wireless extenders 3, and the client devices 4shown in FIG. 1 will be provided in the discussion of FIG. 2 . However,in general, it is contemplated by the present disclosure that the accesspoint device 2, the extender access point device 3, and the clientdevices 4 include electronic components or electronic computing devicesoperable to receive, transmit, process, store, and/or manage data andinformation associated with the system, which encompasses any suitableprocessing device adapted to perform computing tasks consistent with theexecution of computer-readable instructions stored in a memory or acomputer-readable recording medium (for example, a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium).

Further, any, all, or some of the computing components in the accesspoint device 2, the extender access point devices 3, and the clientdevices 4, may be adapted to execute any operating system, includingLinux, UNIX, Windows, MacOS, DOS, and ChromOS as well as virtualmachines adapted to virtualize execution of a particular operatingsystem, including customized and proprietary operating systems. Theaccess point device 2, the extender access point devices 3, and theclient devices 4 are further equipped with components to facilitatecommunication with other computing devices over the one or more networkconnections to local and wide area networks, wireless and wirednetworks, public and private networks, and any other communicationnetwork enabling communication in the system.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating various componentsof a thermal management system 100, according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure.

Although FIG. 2 only shows one extender access point device 3 and oneclient device 4, the extender access point device 3 and the clientdevice 4 shown in the figure are meant to be representative of the otherextender access point device 3 and client devices 4 shown in FIG. 1 .Similarly, the connections 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, and 15 between the accesspoint device 2, the wireless extender 3, and the client device 4 shownin FIG. 2 are meant to be exemplary connections and are not meant toindicate all possible connections between the gateway devices 2,extender access point devices 3, and client devices 4. Additionally, itis contemplated by the present disclosure that the number of accesspoint devices 2, extender access point devices 3, and client devices 4is not limited to the number of access point devices 2, extender accesspoint devices 3, and client devices 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

Now referring to FIG. 2 (for example, from left to right), the clientdevice 4 can be, for example, a computer, a portable device, anelectronic tablet, an e-reader, a PDA, a smart phone, a smart speaker,an IoT device, an iControl device, portable music player with smartcapabilities capable of connecting to the Internet, cellular networks,and interconnecting with other devices via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or otherwireless hand-held consumer electronic device capable of executing anddisplaying the content received through the access point device 2.Additionally, the client device 4 can be a TV, an IP/QAM STB, or an SMDthat is capable of decoding audio/video content, and playing over OTT orMSO provided content received through the access point device 2.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the client device 4 includes a user interface 40, anetwork interface 41, a power supply 42, a memory 44, and a localcontroller 46. The user interface 40 includes, but is not limited to,push buttons, a keyboard, a keypad, a liquid crystal display (LCD), athin film transistor (TFT), a light-emitting diode (LED), a highdefinition (HD) or other similar display device including a displaydevice having touch screen capabilities to allow interaction between auser and the client device 4. The network interface 41 can include, butis not limited to, various network cards, interfaces, and circuitryimplemented in software and/or hardware to enable communications withthe access point device 2 and the extender access point device 3 usingthe communication protocols in accordance with connections 7, 11, 13,and 15 (for example, as described with reference to FIG. 1 ). Thenetwork interface 41 can include multiple radios (for example, a 2.4 GHzradio, a 5 GHz radio, a 6 GHz radio, a 60 GHz radio, any other radio, orany combination thereof), which may also be referred to as wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) interfaces. Any one or more of the radios canprovide a fronthaul (FH) connection between the client device(s) 4 andthe access point device 2 and/or the extender access point device 3.

The power supply 42 supplies power to the internal components of theclient device 4 through the internal bus 47. The power supply 42 can bea self-contained power source such as a battery pack with an interfaceto be powered through an electrical charger connected to an outlet (forexample, either directly or by way of another device). The power supply42 can also include a rechargeable battery that can be detached allowingfor replacement such as a nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride(NiMH), a lithium-ion (Li-ion), or a lithium Polymer (Li-pol) battery.

The memory 44 includes a single memory or one or more memories or memorylocations that include, but are not limited to, a random access memory(RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) a memory buffer, a harddrive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), anelectrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a readonly memory (ROM), a flash memory, logic blocks of a field programmablegate array (FPGA), a hard disk or any other various layers of memoryhierarchy. The memory 44 can be used to store any type of instructions,software, or algorithms including software 45 for controlling thegeneral function and operations of the client device 4 in accordancewith the embodiments described in the present disclosure.

The local controller 46 controls the general operations of the clientdevice 4 and includes, but is not limited to, a central processing unit(CPU), a hardware microprocessor, a hardware processor, a multi-coreprocessor, a single core processor, a field programmable gate array(FPGA), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or other similar processingdevice capable of executing any type of instructions, algorithms, orsoftware including the software 45 for controlling the operation andfunctions of the client device 4 in accordance with the embodimentsdescribed in the present disclosure. Communication between thecomponents (for example, 40, 41, 42, 44, 46) of the client device 4 maybe established using an internal bus 47.

The extender access point device 3 can be, for example, a hardwareelectronic device such as an access point used to extend a wirelessnetwork by receiving the signals transmitted by the access point device2 and rebroadcasting the signals to client devices 4, which may be outof range of the access point device 2. The extender access point device3 can also receive signals from the client devices 4 and rebroadcast thesignals to the access point device 2 or other client devices 4.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the extender access point device 3 includes a userinterface 30, a network interface 31, a power supply 32, a memory 34,and a local controller 36. The user interface 30 can include, but is notlimited to, push buttons, a keyboard, a keypad, an LCD, a TFT, an LED,an HD or other similar display device including a display device havingtouch screen capabilities so as to allow interaction between a user andthe wireless extender 3. The network interface 31 can include variousnetwork cards, interfaces, and circuitry implemented in software and/orhardware to enable communications with the client device 4 and theaccess point device 2 using the communication protocols in accordancewith connections 11, 13, 15 and 7 (for example, as described withreference to FIG. 1 ). For example, the network interface 31 can includemultiple radios or sets of radios (for example, a 2.4 GHz radio, a 5 GHzradio, a 6 GHz radio, a 60 GHz radio, any other radio, or anycombination thereof), which may also be referred to as wireless localarea network (WLAN) interfaces. One radio or set of radios provides abackhaul (BH) connection between the extender access point device 3 andthe access point device 2, and optionally other extender access pointdevice(s) 3. Another radio or set of radios provides a fronthaul (FH)connection between the extender access point device 3 and one or moreclient device(s) 4.

The power supply 32 supplies power to the internal components of thewireless extender 3 through the internal bus 37. The power supply 32 canbe connected to an electrical outlet (for example, either directly or byway of another device) via a cable or wire. The memory 34 can include asingle memory or one or more memories or memory locations that include,but are not limited to, a RAM, a DRAM, a memory buffer, a hard drive, adatabase, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a ROM, a flash memory, logic blocks of anFPGA, hard disk or any other various layers of memory hierarchy. Thememory 34 can be used to store any type of instructions, software, oralgorithm including software 35 for controlling the general functionsand operations of the extender access point device 3 and performingthermal management functions for the network device in accordance withthe embodiments described in the present disclosure. In one or moreembodiments, a thermal management controller 29A and/or 29B is hardware,such as a controller 26, software 25, or both.

The local controller 36 controls the general operations of the extenderaccess point device 3 and can include, but is not limited to, a CPU, ahardware microprocessor, a hardware processor, a multi-core processor, asingle core processor, an FPGA, a microcontroller, an ASIC, a DSP, orother similar processing device capable of executing any type ofinstructions, algorithms, or software including the software 35 forcontrolling the operation and functions of the extender access pointdevice 3 in accordance with the embodiments described in the presentdisclosure. General communication between the components (for example,30, 31, 32, 34, 36) of the extender access point device 3 may beestablished using the internal bus 37.

The access point device 2 can be, for example, a hardware electronicdevice that can combine the functions of a modem, an access point (AP),and/or a router for providing content received from the content provider(ISP) 1 to network devices (for example, extender access point device 3,client devices 4) in the system. It is also contemplated by the presentdisclosure that the access point device 2 can include the function of,but is not limited to, an IP/QAM STB or SMD that is capable of decodingaudio/video content, and playing OTT or MSO provided content.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the access point device 2 includes a user interface20, a network interface 21, a power supply 22, a wide area network (WAN)interface 23, and a memory 24. The user interface 20 can include, but isnot limited to, push buttons, a keyboard, a keypad, an LCD, a TFT, anLED, an HD or other similar display device including a display devicehaving touch screen capabilities so as to allow interaction between auser and the gateway device 2. The network interface 21 may includevarious network cards, and circuitry implemented in software and/orhardware to enable communications with the extender access point device3 and the client device 4 using the communication protocols inaccordance with connections 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, and/or 15 (for example, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 ). For example, the network interface21 can include an Ethernet port (also referred to as a LAN interface)and multiple radios or sets of radios (for example, a 2.4 GHz radio, a 5GHz radio, a 6 GHz radio, a 60 GHz radio, any other radio or anycombination thereof also referred to as WLAN interfaces). One radio orset of radios can provide a wireless backhaul (BH) connection betweenthe access point device 2 and the extender access point device(s) 3.Another radio or set of radios can provide a fronthaul (FH) connectionbetween the access point device 2 and one or more client device(s) 4.

The power supply 22 supplies power to the internal components of theaccess point device 2 through the internal bus 27. The power supply 22can be connected to an electrical outlet (for example, either directlyor by way of another device) via a cable or wire. The WAN interface 23may include various network cards, and circuitry implemented in softwareand/or hardware to enable communications between the access point device2 and the network resource 6 using the wired and/or wireless protocolsin accordance with connection 10 (for example, as described withreference to FIG. 1 ). For example, the WAN interface 23 can include anEthernet port and one or more radios (for example, a 6 GHz radio). TheWAN interface 23 (for example, a 6 GHz radio) may be used to provide awireless backhaul (BH) connection between the access point device 2 andany one or more other elements, according to example embodiments of thepresent disclosure. However, the WAN interface 23 could provide a wiredEthernet connection (for example, a BH connection) between the accesspoint device 2 and any other element according to some alternativeexample embodiments.

The memory 24 includes a single memory or one or more memories or memorylocations that include, but are not limited to, a RAM, a DRAM, a memorybuffer, a hard drive, a database, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a ROM, a flashmemory, logic blocks of a FPGA, hard disk or any other various layers ofmemory hierarchy. The memory 24 can be used to store any type ofinstructions, software, or algorithm including software 25 forcontrolling the general functions and operations of the access pointdevice 2 and performing thermal management functions for the networkdevice in accordance with the embodiments described in the presentdisclosure. In one or more embodiments, the thermal managementcontroller 29N is hardware, such as a controller 26, software 25, orboth. The memory 24 can store data for one or more states associatedwith an operation of the network device, such as a state, acorresponding temperature or range of temperatures, and/or acorresponding operation. For example, a state can be associated with atemperature or a range of temperatures.

The controller 26 controls the general operations of the access pointdevice 2 as well as performs management functions related to the otherdevices (for example, extender access point device 3 and client device4) in the network. The steering controller 26 can include, but is notlimited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a hardware microprocessor,a hardware processor, a multi-core processor, a single core processor, aFPGA, a microcontroller, an ASIC, a DSP, or other similar processingdevice capable of executing any type of instructions, algorithms, orsoftware including the software 25 for controlling the operation andfunctions of the access point device 2 in accordance with theembodiments described in the present disclosure. Communication betweenthe components (for example, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26) of the access pointdevice 2 may be established using the internal bus 27. The controller 26may also be referred to as a processor, generally.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating thermal management of a network devicewithin a network environment 120, according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure. The diagram illustrates time (Time, for exampletime t0-t6) on the x-axis and a corresponding temperature (Temp) alongthe y-axis. The thermal management controller can determine atemperature, such as a current temperature (such as T0-T9) at a time(such as t0-t6) based on any of a time period (such as periodically), atimed interval, a semaphore, an alarm, a timer, any other timemechanism, or any combination thereof. The thermal management controllercan receive one or more temperature measurements, for example, from atemperature sensor associated with a radio and/or any other temperaturesensor internal to or external to the network device for use indetermining whether to alter an operation of the network device.

The thermal management controller can maintain, identify or otherwisedetermine a state of a plurality of states of the network device, forexample, a current state based on a current operation of the networkdevice and/or a previously stored state. The thermal managementcontroller can store in a memory (such as a memory 24) of the networkdevice state information associated with thermal management of thenetwork device, such as one or more parameters associated with a currentstate, an associated temperature threshold (T_Th), an associatedoperation, a next state associated with the current state, any otherinformation, or any combination thereof, for example, as illustrated inTABLE 1. The state information can be used along with the identifiedcurrent state to determine whether an operation of the network devicesneeds to be altered for thermal management. One or more operations ofthe network device can be altered by the thermal management controllerbased on the current temperature, the identified current state and thecorresponding state information, for example, of TABLE 1.

For example, a thermal indicator (T_Ind) can be determined by comparinga current temperature associated with the network device to atemperature threshold associated with the current state of the networkdevice. The current temperature (Tc) can be determined, for example,based on one or more temperature measurements received from one or moretemperature sensors, for example, one or more temperature sensorsassociated with one or more radios of the network device. The next statecan then be determined based on the temperature indicator and thecurrent state. The one or more operations can comprise any of one ormore parameters associated with a radio of the network device (such asany of a reduce data rate, change a data mode, reduce an output ortransmit power, reduce a duty cycle, limit a radio frequency (RF) chain,any other parameter associated with the radio, or any combinationthereof), a client connection (for example, one or more clientsassociated with a radio can be disconnected, removed, or otherwiseblocked from the radio), a radio interface support (for example, one ormore radio interfaces of a radio can be shut down or otherwisedisconnected from a power source), any other operation, or anycombination thereof. An operation can be associated with a time periodsuch that at expiration of the time period the operation is any ofdiscontinued, toggled, maintained until subsequent determinations aremade, such as one or more additional temperature measurements receivedare compared to a temperature threshold associated with the currentstate, or any combination thereof.

TABLE 1 Next State Previous State T_Th (T_(C) > T_Th) (T_(C) ≤ T_Th)Current State (Celsius) Operation (e.g., T_Ind = 1) (e.g., T_Ind = 0) A(first state) 25 <Null> B A (or default operation) B (second state)25-32 Reduce transmit duty C A cycle C (third state) 32 Cap radiotransmit D B power D (fourth state) 37 Limit number of RF E C chains E(fifth state) 43 Remove client device(s) F D connected to a radio F(sixth state) 46 Shut-Down a radio F or Shut-Down E interface NetworkDevice

As an example, TABLE 1 illustrates corresponding state information for acurrent state of the network device, such as a temperature threshold, anoperation, a next state, and a previous state. In one or moreembodiments, TABLE 1 can be stored locally at the network device orremotely from the network device, such as at a network resource. Thecurrent state of the network device can be retrieved from a storagelocation, such as a memory (whether remote from or local to the networkdevice) or determined as needed. While TABLE 1 illustrates six states,the present invention contemplates that any number of states can beassociated with a network device. For ease of reference, the states inTABLE 1 are denoted by ordinal states and/or characters but the presentdisclosure contemplates any naming convention for the plurality ofstates.

Each state of the plurality of states can be associated with atemperature threshold. The temperature threshold can be a range oftemperatures (such as 25<T_TH<32 as illustrated for state B), a value(such as T_TH=25 as illustrated for states A and C-F), or both. In oneor more embodiments, a temperature threshold can be expressed such thata thermal indicator is determined based on a comparison of the thermalindicator to the temperature threshold. The comparison can comprisedetermining that the thermal indicator is at or exceeds or is at orbelow a temperature threshold associated with a state. While thetemperature threshold in TABLE 1 is expressed in degrees Celsius, thepresent disclosure contemplates any unit of measurement orrepresentation thereof, for example, any of Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin,a correlation to any unit of measurement, or any combination thereof.

Each state of the plurality of states is associated with an operation ofthe network device. The operation corresponds to an action that can betaken by the thermal management controller to manage the temperature ofthe network device, for example, temperature based on the functioning ofone or more radios of the network device. The normal operating state ofthe network device (a default operation) can be indicated by a <NULL>value or other value indicative of a normal or default operation of thenetwork device. This normal or default operation is indicated as a firststate, state “A”, in TABLE 1. For example, when the network device isoperating within an acceptable temperature threshold comprising a rangeand/or at or below a temperature threshold, the thermal managementcontroller does not alter any operation of the network device or ingeneral, maintains the normal or default operation of the networkdevice. While only a single operation is illustrated in TABLE 1 for eachstate, the present disclosure contemplates any number of operations canbe associated with a state. Any one or more operations can be associatedwith a time interval or time period such that altering the operationassociated with the network device is for a limited period of time. Eachoperation can correspond to one or more radios or one or more othercomponents/elements of the network device. For example, the thermalmanagement controller can determine to alter an operation, such as tolimit or reduce the transmit duty cycle, and can select a single radioor a plurality of radios to which to alter the operation. In one or moreembodiments, the thermal management controller can identify a singleradio and alter the operation of the single radio and then subsequentlyidentify one or more other radios and alter the operation of the one ormore other radios. In this way, the thermal management controller canindependently alter the operation of any radio of the network device.

The thermal management controller can determine a next state of thenetwork device based on the current state and a determination of athermal indicator (T_TI). As indicated in TABLE 1, the next state can bedifferent based on the thermal indicator, such as when Tc>T_Th, thethermal management controller can alter operation of the network devicebased on an operation associated with a next state and when Tc≤T_Th, thethermal management controller can alter operation of the network devicebased on a pervious state. For example, if the current state is state Band Tc>T_Th, the thermal management controller can alter the operationof the network device by capping radio transmit power of a radio asindicated by the next state (second state, state “C”) and if Tc≤T_Th thethermal management controller can alter the operation of the networkdevice by removing the capping of the radio transmit power of the radioand returning or reverting to the previous state (first state, state“A”). In this way, as the current temperature of the network devicefluctuates, the thermal management controller can alter one or moreoperations of the network device based on the current state and thethermal indicator.

Returning to FIG. 3 , the thermal management controller can determine acurrent temperature at t1, for example, a first temperature T2. Thethermal management controller can compare the current temperature T2 toa temperature threshold associated with a current state of the networkdevice, such as a first temperature threshold associated with a firststate, state “A”. The first state can indicate a normal operation of thenetwork device such that thermal management is not required, forexample, altering an operation of the network device is not required andthe default or normal operation of the network device is maintained.

During operation of the network device, the temperature can increase,for example, from T5 at t1 to T9 at t2 due to operation of one or morecomponents/elements of the network device, such as one or more radios.For example, a network device can comprise a plurality of radiosoperating which can cause an increase in temperature, such as thenetwork device can operate without throttling or power constraintscausing an increase in the temperature associated with the networkdevice. The thermal management controller can detect or determine, as athermal indicator, that the current temperature associated with thenetwork device has exceeded a temperature threshold, for example, afirst temperature threshold associated with the first state, state “A”.The thermal management controller determines a next state, such as thesecond state, state “B”, based on a thermal indicator associated withthe current state and alters an operation of the network device based onthe next state so as to cause the current temperature to decrease. Thethermal management controller updates the current state to the nextstate (the second state, state “B”). When the thermal indicatorassociated with the current state, based on the current temperature, isat or below a temperature threshold (a second temperature threshold)associated with the second state, state “B”, the thermal managementcontroller can return or alter an operation of the network device basedon the thermal indicator and the previous state (the first state, state“A”). The thermal management controller updates the current state to theprevious state (the first state, state “A”). For example, after alteringthe operation as indicated by the second state, state “B”, the currenttemperature can fall below T9. The thermal management controller canupdate the current state to revert to the previous state or the firststate, state “A”. The current temperature can oscillate between T8 andT9 from t2 to t4 and the thermal management controller can maintain theoperation associated with the first state, state “A”, as the associatedthermal indicator does not exceed to the associated temperaturethreshold. At t4, the current temperature can increase to T9 whichtriggers the steps discussed above for the duration of t4-t6.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating thermal management of a network devicewithin a network environment 120, according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a similar temperature versustime graph as illustrated in FIG. 3 , however, in FIG. 4 the thermalmanagement controller transitions between states “A”-“F” at timest0-t13.

In FIG. 4 , the network device is operating in a normal or defaultoperation, state “A”. As the temperature increases between t1 and t2,the thermal management controller alters an operation of the networkdevice based on the current state, state “A”. The current state is thenstate “B”. The temperature again increase between times t2 and t3 andthe thermal management controller determines that the next state isstate “C” and alters operation of the network device based on state “C”.As illustrated, the thermal management controller transitions betweenstates “C” to “E” as the temperature increases from t3 to t5. At time t6the temperature reaches a critical point and the thermal managementcontroller alters the operation of the network device associated withstate “F”. The thermal management control receives no temperaturemeasurements from the radio while the interface of the radio isshut-down. At time t7, the thermal management controller resumes normaloperation of the network device. The temperature again increases fromtimes t7 to t12 and the thermal management controller performs the samecycle through the states as previously discussed ending with state “F”which results in a decrease of temperature from t12 to t13.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for thermal management of anetwork device in a network environment, according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. At step S502, the network deviceidentifies a current state of the network device, for example, any ofstates “A”-“F” (first state-sixth state) as discussed with reference toTABLE 1.

At step S504, the network device receives one or more temperaturemeasurements, for example, from any of one or more temperature sensorsassociated with one or more radios of the network device, a temperaturesensor associated with the network device and disposed internally and/orexternally to the network device. At step S506, the network devicedetermines a current temperature based on the one or more temperaturemeasurements. For example, the network device can any of determine anaverage of the one or more temperature measurements, determine a medianof the one or more temperature measurements, perform one or more of thesteps of the method based on each individual temperature measurement,perform any other temperature determination, or any combination thereof.

At step S506, the network device determines a thermal indicator. Thethermal indicator can be determined based on a comparison of the currenttemperature to a threshold associated with the current state as shown insteps S510 and S512. In one or more embodiments, the thermal indicatorcan be a value indicative of the comparison of steps S510 and S512, suchas a binary “1” or “0”. In one or more embodiments steps S508-S512 canbe implemented with the thermal indicator indicative of the mathematicalresult of S510 and S512, such as part of an if/then statement.

At step S510, if the thermal indicator indicates the current temperatureis greater than a thermal threshold associated with the current state,the method continues to S511 where a new state is set to a next statebased on the current state and the thermal indicator, for example, asindicated by TABLE 1. If the thermal indicator indicates the currenttemperature is less than or equal to a temperature threshold associatedwith the current state, the method continues to S513 where a new stateis set to a previous state based on the current state and the thermalindicator, for example, as indicated by TABLE 1. If the thermalindicator does not meet steps S510 and S512, the method continues tostep S504. For example, if an error occurs or no temperaturemeasurements meet a criteria associated with the state information ofTABLE 1 the network device can return to receive one or more temperaturemeasurements.

The method continues from either S512 or S513 to step S514 where thenetwork device alters an operation of the network device based on thenew state and an operation associated with the new state. At step S516,the network device can update the current state. For example, thenetwork device sets the current to the new state of step S511 or stepS513. The method continues to step 504 where one or more additionaltemperature measurements are received so as to determine a currenttemperature and so as to determine a thermal indicator using asubsequent temperature threshold associated with the current state(updated to the new state) so that a subsequent operation associatedwith the network device can be altered.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for thermal management of anetwork device in a network environment, according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. At step S602, the network devicereceives one or more temperature measurements associate with the one ormore radios. At step S604, the network device determines a currenttemperature associated with the network device based on the one or moretemperature measurements from step S602.

At step S606, the network device determines a thermal indicator, whereindetermining the thermal indicator comprises comparing the currenttemperature to a temperature threshold associated with a current stateof a plurality of states of the network device, for example, based onstate information from TABLE 1.

At step S608, the network device determines a new state of the pluralitystates based on the thermal indicator and the current state, forexample, based on state information from TABLE 1.

At step S610, the network device alters an operation associated with thenetwork device based on the new state and the thermal indicator, forexample, using state information from TABLE 1. When the current state isstate “A” and the thermal indicator is a “1”, the new state is the nextstate (state “B”) which is associated with an operation that comprisesreducing a transmit duty cycle associated with at least one of the oneor more radios. The at least one radio can be configured to only beallowed to transmit for certain percentage of time which reduces thetransmit duty cycle to at least less than 100 percent. In one or moreembodiments, the certain percentage of time is configurable. For athermal indicator of “0”, the new state is the previous state whichremains state “A” and no operation is altered.

When the current state is state “B” and the thermal indicator is a “1”,the new state is the next state (state “C”) which is associated with anoperation that comprises capping a transmit power of at least one of theone or more radios. Radio signal strength information (RSSI) can becollected for one or more network device connected to the at least oneof the one or more radios and a maximum transmit power associated withat least one of the one or more radios can be reduced based on a lowestRSSI of the collected RSSI. For example, the lowest RSSI can besubtracted from a configurable floor threshold to determine a transmitpower cap offset. As a first example, a current transmit power can beset to 22, a minimum transmit power set to 10, and a configurable floorset to −80. If the lowest RSSI is −72, the transmit power cap offset is8 and the current transmit power will be reduced to the maximum transmitpower minus the transmit power cap offset (20−8=14). If the lowest RSSIis −22, for example, then the current transmit power will be reduced tothe minimum transmit power, in this example, 10. For a thermal indicatorof “0”, the new state is the previous state which is state “A” and thenetwork device is reverted to the operation as indicated by the newstate.

When the current state is “C” and the thermal indicator is a “1”, thenew state is the next state (state “D”) which is associated with anoperation that comprises limiting a number of RF chains associated withat least one of the one or more radios. For example, the network devicecan be configured to change from a N×N to a 2×2 or a 1×1 device based onthe starting number of chains that are configurable. Power can becompletely removed from any unused transmit and receive paths associatedwith the at least one of the one or more radios. This configuration canbe made real-time. For a thermal indicator of “0”, the new state is theprevious state which can be state “A” or state “B” and the networkdevice is reverted to the operation as indicated by the new state.

When the current state is “D” and the thermal indicator is a “1”, thenew state is the next state (state “E”) which is associated with anoperation that comprises removing one or more network devices connectedto the network device. For example, at least one of the one or morenetwork devices connected to the network device can be redirected to adifferent radio of the one or more radios (so that at least one radiocan be shut-down) or a different network device. In one or moreembodiments, all of the one or more network devices connected to thenetwork device can be redirected or removed. In one or more embodiments,a recommendation can be received from a network resource (for example,based on IEEE 802.11 VMK and r) as to redirecting at least one of theone or more network devices to a different radio. The radio can send adeauthentication (DAuth) frame to the at least one of the one or morenetwork devices. For a thermal indicator of “0”, the new state is theprevious state which can be any of state “A”, state “B”, or state “C”and the network device is reverted to the operation as indicated by thenew state.

When the current state is “E” and the thermal indicator is a “1”, thenew state is the next state (state “F”) which is associated with anoperation that comprises shutting down an interface of at least one ofthe one or more radios. In one or more embodiments, all interfacesassociated with all of the one or more radios are shut-down. In one ormore embodiments, an interface can be shut-down for a predeterminedperiod of time as an associated radio cannot transmit a temperaturemeasurement while shut-down. After the predetermined period of time, theradio can be brought back up. For a thermal indicator of “0”, the newstate is the previous state which can be any of state “A”, state “B”,state “C”, or state “D” and the network device is reverted to theoperation as indicated by the new state.

When the current state is “F” and the thermal indicator is a “0”, thenew state is the previous state which can be any of state “A”, state“B”, state “C”, state “D”, or state “E” and the network device isreverted to the operation as indicated by the new state. In one or moreembodiments, the network device transitions to each state of theplurality of states so as to perform thermal management of the networkdevice.

At step S612, the current state is updated based on the new state. Thecurrent state can be set to the new state so that when one or moreadditional temperature measurements are received the above method stepsare performed based on the new state.

In one or more embodiments, a network device may include a thermalmanagement controller 29, that may be programmed with or to execute oneor more instructions (for example, software or application 25) toperform steps for thermal management of the network device. In FIGS. 5-6, it is assumed that the network devices include their respectivecontrollers and their respective software stored in their respectivememories, as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1-6 , which whenexecuted by their respective controllers perform the functions andoperations in accordance with the example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The thermal management controller 29 can execute one or morecomputer-readable instructions, stored in a memory, for example, amemory 24 of an access point device 2, that when executed perform one ormore of the operations of steps S502-S516 and/or steps S602-S612. In oneor more embodiments, the one or more computer-readable instructions maybe one or more software applications, for example, a software 25 of anaccess point device 2. While the steps of FIGS. 5 and 6 are presented ina certain order, the present disclosure contemplates that any one ormore steps can be performed simultaneously, substantiallysimultaneously, repeatedly, in any order or not at all (omitted).

While ordinal states are discussed herein, in one or more embodimentsthe thermal management controller can transition from any one of theordinal states discussed states discussed above, such as a currentstate, to another one of the ordinal states, such as a next state or aprevious state, sequentially or in any order. In one or moreembodiments, the thermal management controller alters a currentoperation of the network device associated with a current state prior toaltering a next operation of the network device associated with a nextstate so as to alter each operation of the network device associatedwith each state prior to a shutting down the network device. In one ormore embodiments, a comparison to a temperature threshold can comprise adetermination that a value is less than (also referred to as below),equal to (also referred to as at), greater than (also referred to asabove), less than or equal to, or greater than or equal to thetemperature threshold.

Each of the elements of the present invention may be configured byimplementing dedicated hardware or a software program on a memorycontrolling a processor to perform the functions of any of thecomponents or combinations thereof. Any of the components may beimplemented as a CPU or other processor reading and executing a softwareprogram from a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductormemory, for example. The processes disclosed above constitute examplesof algorithms that can be affected by software, applications (apps, ormobile apps), or computer programs. The software, applications, computerprograms or algorithms can be stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium for instructing a computer, such as a processorin an electronic apparatus, to execute the methods or algorithmsdescribed herein and shown in the drawing figures. The software andcomputer programs, which can also be referred to as programs,applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural language, an object-oriented programming language, afunctional programming language, a logical programming language, or anassembly language or machine language.

The term “non-transitory computer-readable medium” refers to anycomputer program product, apparatus or device, such as a magnetic disk,optical disk, solid-state storage device (SSD), memory, and programmablelogic devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions or data to aprogrammable data processor, including a computer-readable medium thatreceives machine instructions as a computer-readable signal. By way ofexample, a computer-readable medium can comprise DRAM, RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carryor store desired computer-readable program code in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that can be accessed by ageneral-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processor. Disk or disc, as used herein, includescompact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc(DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc. Combinations of the above are alsoincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The word “comprise” or a derivative thereof, when used in a claim, isused in a nonexclusive sense that is not intended to exclude thepresence of other elements or steps in a claimed structure or method. Asused in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Use of the phrases“capable of,” “configured to,” or “operable to” in one or moreembodiments refers to some apparatus, logic, hardware, and/or elementdesigned in such a way to enable use thereof in a specified manner.

While the principles of the inventive concepts have been described abovein connection with specific devices, apparatuses, systems, algorithms,programs and/or methods, it is to be clearly understood that thisdescription is made only by way of example and not as limitation. Theabove description illustrates various example embodiments along withexamples of how aspects of particular embodiments may be implemented andare presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of particularembodiments as defined by the following claims, and should not be deemedto be the only embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that based on the above disclosure and the following claims,other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents may beemployed without departing from the scope hereof as defined by theclaims. It is contemplated that the implementation of the components andfunctions of the present disclosure can be done with any newly arisingtechnology that may replace any of the above-implemented technologies.Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

What we claim is:
 1. A network device comprising: one or more radios; amemory storing one or more computer-readable instructions; and aprocessor configured to execute the one or more computer-readableinstructions to: determine a current temperature associated with thenetwork device based on one or more temperature measurements associatedwith the one or more radios; determine a thermal indicator, whereindetermining the thermal indicator comprises comparing the currenttemperature to a temperature threshold associated with a current stateof a plurality of states of the network device; determine a new state ofthe plurality of states based on the thermal indicator and the currentstate; and alter an operation associated with the network device basedon the new state and the thermal indicator.
 2. The network device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the oneor more computer-readable instructions to: determine the currenttemperature based on one or more additional temperature measurements;update the current state based on the new state; determine the thermalindicator, wherein determining the thermal indicator comprises comparingthe current temperature to a subsequent temperature threshold associatedwith the current state; determine the new state based on the thermalindicator and the current state; and alter a subsequent operationassociated with the network device based on the new state and thethermal indicator.
 3. The network device of claim 1, wherein alteringthe operation comprises: reducing a transmit duty cycle associated withat least one of the one or more radios.
 4. The network device of claim1, wherein altering the operation comprises: capping a transmit powerfor at least one of the one or more radios.
 5. The network device ofclaim 1, wherein altering the operation comprises: reducing a number ofradio frequency (RF) chains associated with at least one of the one ormore radios.
 6. The network device of claim 1, wherein altering theoperation comprises: redirecting at least one of one or more networkdevices connected to the one or more radios to a different radio of theone or more radios or a different network device.
 7. The network deviceof claim 1, wherein altering the operation comprises: shutting down aninterface associated with at least one of the one or more radios.
 8. Amethod for controlling a temperature associated with a radio of anetwork device, the method comprising: determining a current temperatureassociated with the network device based on one or more temperaturemeasurements associated with the one or more radios; determining athermal indicator, wherein determining the thermal indicator comprisescomparing the current temperature to a temperature threshold associatedwith a current state of a plurality of states of the network device;determining a new state of the plurality of states based on the thermalindicator and the current state; and altering an operation associatedwith the network device based on the new state and the thermalindicator.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining thecurrent temperature based on one or more additional temperaturemeasurements; updating the current state based on the new state;determining the thermal indicator, wherein determining the thermalindicator comprises comparing the current temperature to a subsequenttemperature threshold associated with the current state; determining thenew state based on the thermal indicator and the current state; andaltering a subsequent operation associated with the network device basedon the new state and the thermal indicator.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein altering the operation comprises: reducing a transmit duty cycleassociated with at least one of the one or more radios.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein altering the operation comprises: capping a transmitpower for at least one of the one or more radios.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein altering the operation comprises: reducing a number ofradio frequency (RF) chains associated with at least one of the one ormore radios.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein altering the operationcomprises: redirecting at least one of one or more network devicesconnected to the one or more radios to a different radio of the one ormore radios or a different network device.
 14. The method of claim 8,wherein altering the operation comprises: shutting down an interfaceassociated with at least one of the one or more radios.
 15. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium of network device storing one ormore computer-readable instructions, the one or more computer-readableinstructions that when executed by a processor of the network devicecause the network device to perform one or more operations comprising:determining a current temperature associated with the network devicebased on one or more temperature measurements associated with the one ormore radios; determining a thermal indicator, wherein determining thethermal indicator comprises comparing the current temperature to atemperature threshold associated with a current state of a plurality ofstates of the network device; determining a new state of the pluralityof states based on the thermal indicator and the current state; andaltering an operation associated with the network device based on thenew state and the thermal indicator.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein one or more furthercomputer-readable instructions when executed by the processor cause thenetwork device to perform one or more further operations comprising:determining the current temperature based on one or more additionaltemperature measurements; updating the current state based on the newstate; determining the thermal indicator, wherein determining thethermal indicator comprises comparing the current temperature to asubsequent temperature threshold associated with the current state;determining the new state based on the thermal indicator and the currentstate; and altering a subsequent operation associated with the networkdevice based on the new state and the thermal indicator.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein alteringthe operation comprises at least one of: reducing a transmit duty cycleassociated with at least one of the one or more radios; and capping atransmit power for at least one of the one or more radios.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein alteringthe operation comprises: reducing a number of radio frequency (RF)chains associated with at least one of the one or more radios.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein alteringthe operation comprises: redirecting at least one of one or more networkdevices connected to the one or more radios to a different radio of theone or more radios or a different network device.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein altering the operationcomprises: shutting down an interface associated with at least one ofthe one or more radios.